Clone Wars: Underground - Chapter 6
Ty sat with the others in the morning enjoying their meal. Everyone was present except Ellia who had been approved to move to a new apartment in the Medical District. Fives thought it best that she stay there. It helped her appear to be leading a normal life.
Brenni sat across from the newest member of the group. He’d been quiet since coming with them.
“Hey, how are you doing?” She asked.
“Well enough, ma’am.” Ty replied promptly.
“Okay, is there anything I can get you?” He looked at her questioningly. Civvies usually found clones uncomfortable at best. He was still getting used to the ones who’d shown up at the club and befriended him.
“I’m okay.”
Brenni knew he wasn’t sleeping. He was quiet most of the time. It must be difficult when you’ve been with the same group of people your whole life and suddenly it’s all changed.
“I just, I helped hunt down my general. I couldn’t help it. I can’t forget it.” Ty confessed.
“It wasn’t your fault.” Brenni tried to comfort him.
“I am glad I got that chip out. It all makes sense now, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Life is like that sometimes. That’s what friends are for. They keep you though the dark times. They don’t let you fall into your own despair.”
“Yeah, I was falling into that alright.” He managed a weak smile.
“Welcome to the family.” She finished. For the first time in days Ty felt like he might pull though the sadness that had engulfed him.
Fives had insisted that, despite their basic training, Ellia and Brenni take escorts whenever they went top side. This meant Ellia had someone walk her to work every day. Tiptoe had been there at her new apartment to walk with her up to the sky-walk, across the complex and through the entertainment sector of the medical district and up to the medical research buildings. He wore his armor most of the time out of habit or because he felt protecting her was his duty, Ellia wasn’t sure why. Each time she looked at him, she remembered with disgust how she had placed him and the other soldier in a box in her mind. She had never thought of them as non-human, but at the same time, not the same as other natural beings in the galaxy. Now, she hated that she had ever thought that way.
Ellia and Tiptoe ascended the turbolift to the genetics division of the Imperial Medical Research Center.
“Thanks for the escort, Tip.” Ellia took Tiptoe’s hand and squeezed it.
“No problem.” He checked the chrono on the lift’s display.
“See you this evening.”
“Six.” He confirmed.
The lift door opened to Gresh and Commander Fox.
“Step out of the lift, both of you.” The Commander ordered. Tiptoe stepped in front of Ellia, but with a squad of shock troopers, he knew he didn’t stand a chance.
“What’s going on?” Ellia demanded.
Gresh waved a datapad in his right hand. “A data chip was deposited on my desk. I’m assuming it wasn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?” Ellia tried to sound as confused as she felt, but Gresh’s smug face just made her want to slug him and her tone showed her anger.
“Safeguard?” Gresh watched Ellia’s face turn to shock. It was the code name she’d given her secret project. Her glare could have burned straight through him and into the back wall.
“The code.” Gresh demanded.
Fox looked to Ellia. “Just give him the code.” His voice was soft. He didn’t want to arrest her, but Ellia wasn’t budging.
Thoughts flashed across Ellia’s mind. Was Gresh trying to steal her work? Was he using clones for experimentation as she had? Was he taking her work to serve Palpatine? She shuttered at the story Fives had recited, how he’d discovered the devious plan of the former Republic Chancellor to turn the clones against the Jedi.
Ellia’s lips tightened and her jaw locked.
Behind the troopers a new figure appeared. He was dressed in the green-grays of an officer. His gaunt face and stiff posture made him appear instantly as intimidating as the troopers with blasters.
“I believe that Moff Tarkin can help loosen that sweet tongue.” Gresh commented. He drew himself up, feeling in control. He would get the code, he would learn the secrets the Jedi were working on. Then he’d use them to restore his Emperor’s youth. With this talented young girl working for him, he would become one of the single most important men in the new Imperial Order.
“Young woman, I don’t have patience. I will tell you right now that I will do what it takes to get what is needed.” The voice of the Moff was strict. It didn’t feel like he was trying to scare her. Ellia felt like he was simply informing her of his character. Which in turn scared her even more than cocky intimidation. But she didn’t budge.
“Take her into custody.” The Moff ordered.
“No, wait. You can’t take her away.” Gresh stated. While he was certain he would be able to read her research once he had the access code, he’d need Doctor Tian to help with the research.
“Not to worry, Director. I won’t do anything to impede your research.” The Moff stated and then turned and nodded at Commander Fox. Gresh growled. He wasn’t used to his authority being over-ridden, but worse, he needed to keep some level of good will between him and the young geneticist if he wanted her help.
“I’m sorry, but please don’t struggle, Doctor.” Fox took her wrists and locked them in binders, then nodded to his squad. They proceeded to bind Tiptoe as well.
“No, he’s not with me. We just walk together.” Ellia protested.
“He’s one of her experiments.” Gresh corrected. “I’ll keep him here for testing.”
“What company are you with?” The Moff asked.
“The 501st.” Tiptoe replied automatically, hoping the immediate answer would quell any more inquiry.
“The 501st just shipped out.” Fox replied. “Take him.”
Tiptoe didn’t struggle. He knew he’d be better use if he weren’t knocked out.
“Last Opportunity.” Kisha said. “It’s a last opportunity we’re giving each of the troopers to be one of the good guys.”
“Sounds good.” Jace agreed.
“Hey, so we’re still the good guys, right?” Burnout asked sarcastically.
“We are, but you’re the nerf-case.” Kisha joked.
“What about Defenders.” Ty suggested a name. “We defend the rights of the clones.”
“Defender Squad.” Fives tested the name. “It’ll work.” He crossed his arms in resolution.
“Hey, shouldn’t Elli and Tip be back by now?” Brenni asked.
“They’re probably at her apartment, ya know, hooking up power couplings n’ stuff.” Kisha remarked. Brenni raised an eyebrow in her direction, a clear indication that her comments weren’t appropriate.
Fives was already in action. He knew Tiptoe would check in if any plans changed. He holstered his blasters and turned back for help. Burnout was already falling into step behind him. They made their way quickly into the evening. The Research Center ahead was lit up in the darkness. Fives noticed right away the military shuttle settled on the upper-level platforms.
“That doesn’t look normal.” Burnout pointed.
“Gotta bad feeling about this.” Fives muttered as they hurried into the large center. A quick lift to the genetics labs showed Ellia’s office to be empty. Her terminal was cold and there were no signs that she’d even been there recently.
“The shuttle.” Burnout urged. They both rushed for the lift, making for the landing platforms.
“We don’t have uniforms or armor.” Burnout stated as the lift slowed.
“The most important part of any disguise is your attitude. Stay calm, act natural. You’re just off duty looking for a friend.” Fives took a breath to steady himself. He pulled his cap down over his tattoo and walked casually to the guards standing at the foot of the shuttle’s ramp.
“Hey, uh. You guys get the doc?”
The trooper on duty didn’t recognize the them, but they were clones, and they knew about the doctor.
“Yeah. She and that trooper are both on board with the Moff.”
“Yeah, she had it coming I guess.”
“Got some research all locked up. Don’t worry, the Moff will make her talk.”
“Got it.” Fives walked to the ramp. Burnout followed suit, hoping their luck would hold.
“Stop.” The troopers standing guard stepped in their way. “Sorry, authorized personnel only. Fives was a second away from grabbing the one trooper and shoving him into the other until he heard more shuffling boots coming from inside the shuttle.
“Understood.” Fives pushed Burnout around and they went back inside the building.
“What do-”
“We need uniforms.” Fives cut him off.
there was a sudden whine of engines. Both troopers looked behind them to see the loading ramp retract and the shuttle take off.
“No!” Fives ran back outside, keeping his eye on the shuttle. It soared up above the neon-lit Coruscant walkways and buildings to a Star Destroyer barely visible in orbit.
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